'Almost Live!' crew back on KING with 'The (206)'

Cashman, Keister back with sketch comedy

CASEY MCNERTHNE, Seattle Post-Intelligencer

By CASEY MCNERTHNEY, SEATTLEPI.COM STAFF

Updated 8:15 pm, Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Comedian John Keister, center, practices a comedic sketch with Pat Cashman, left, as Keister's wife and show writer Mary McKinley holds up cues during a shoot for the new show "The (206)" on Thursday, Aug. 23, 2012 at Mercer Island's Park on the Lid. The show is being produced by many of the original creators of popular television show "Almost Live" and is scheduled to debut on KING/5 Jan.6, 2013.

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

Comedian John Keister, center, practices a comedic sketch with Pat...

Comedian Pat Cashman has some fun with a bullhorn and soundman Todd Schmidt during a shoot for the new show "The 206" on Thursday, August 23, 2012 at Mercer Island's Park on the Lid. The show is being produced by many of the original creators of popular television show Almost Live and will feature original comedic sketches.

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

Comedian Pat Cashman has some fun with a bullhorn and soundman Todd...

Comedian John Keister, center, performs a comedic sketch with actor and comedian Chris Cashman during a shoot for the new show "The 206" on Thursday, August 23, 2012 at Mercer Island's Park on the Lid. The show is being produced by many of the original creators of popular television show "Almost Live" and will feature original comedic sketches.

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

Comedian John Keister, center, performs a comedic sketch with actor...

Comedian Chris Cashman gets a closeup with his dad, comedian Pat Cashman, during a shoot for the new show "The 206" on Thursday, August 23, 2012 at Mercer Island's Park on the Lid. The younger Cashman said he is lucky to be able to work with his dad. The show is being produced by many of the original creators of popular television show Almost Live and will feature original comedic sketches.

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

Comedian Chris Cashman gets a closeup with his dad, comedian Pat...

A monitor shows comedian Pat Cashman as he performs during a shoot for the new show "The 206" on Thursday, August 23, 2012 at Mercer Island's Park on the Lid. The show is being produced by many of the original creators of popular television show Almost Live and will feature original comedic sketches.

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

A monitor shows comedian Pat Cashman as he performs during a shoot...

Comedian Chris Cashman checks out his costume with co-producer Jim McKenna during a shoot for the new show "The 206" on Thursday, August 23, 2012 at Mercer Island's Park on the Lid. The show is being produced by many of the original creators of popular television show Almost Live and will feature original comedic sketches.

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

Comedian Chris Cashman checks out his costume with co-producer Jim...

Director of photography Mike Boydstun, left, shoots as John Keister and Chris Cashman perform during a shoot for the new show "The 206" on Thursday, August 23, 2012 at Mercer Island's Park on the Lid. The show is being produced by many of the original creators of popular television show Almost Live and will feature original comedic sketches.

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

Director of photography Mike Boydstun, left, shoots as John Keister...

Comedian Pat Cashman hugs producer Erren Gottlieb during a shoot for the new show "The 206" on Thursday, August 23, 2012 at Mercer Island's Park on the Lid. The show is being produced by many of the original creators of popular television show Almost Live and will feature original comedic sketches.

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

Comedian Pat Cashman hugs producer Erren Gottlieb during a shoot...

Comedian Pat Cashman and his son Chris rehearse lines during a shoot for the new show "The 206" on Thursday, August 23, 2012 at Mercer Island's Park on the Lid. The show is being produced by many of the original creators of popular television show Almost Live and will feature original comedic sketches.

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

Comedian Pat Cashman and his son Chris rehearse lines during a...

From left, comedians Pat Cashman, and John Keister practice their lines as writer Mary McKinley and producer Erren Gottlieb try to manage the scene during a shoot for the new show "The 206" on Thursday, August 23, 2012 at Mercer Island's Park on the Lid. The show is being produced by many of the original creators of popular television show Almost Live and will feature original comedic sketches.

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

From left, comedians Pat Cashman, and John Keister practice their...

Comedian Pat Cashman and his son Chris perform a scene during a shoot for the new show "The 206" on Thursday, August 23, 2012 at Mercer Island's Park on the Lid. The show is being produced by many of the original creators of popular television show Almost Live and will feature original comedic sketches.

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

Comedian Pat Cashman and his son Chris perform a scene during a...

Co-producer Jim McKenna and comedian Chris Cashman watch as a dog walks through the set during a shoot for the new show "The 206" on Thursday, August 23, 2012 at Mercer Island's Park on the Lid. The show is being produced by many of the original creators of popular television show Almost Live and will feature original comedic sketches.

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

Co-producer Jim McKenna and comedian Chris Cashman watch as a dog...

Director of photography Mike Boydstun, left, shoots as comedians Pat Cashman and John Keister perform during a shoot for the new show "The 206" on Thursday, August 23, 2012 at Mercer Island's Park on the Lid. The show is being produced by many of the original creators of popular television show Almost Live and will feature original comedic sketches.

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

Director of photography Mike Boydstun, left, shoots as comedians...

Comedians Pat Cashman, left, and John Keister perform during a shoot for the new show "The 206" on Thursday, August 23, 2012 at Mercer Island's Park on the Lid. The show is being produced by many of the original creators of popular television show Almost Live and will feature original comedic sketches.

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

Comedians Pat Cashman, left, and John Keister perform during a...

Comedian Pat Cashman walks onto the set during a shoot for the new show "The 206" on Thursday, August 23, 2012 at Mercer Island's Park on the Lid. The show is being produced by many of the original creators of popular television show Almost Live and will feature original comedic sketches.

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

Comedian Pat Cashman walks onto the set during a shoot for the new...

From left, Chris Cashman,Pat Cashman, Brooks McBeth and John Keister take the stage during the Night of The (206) on Tuesday, September 18, 2012 at The Triple Door in Seattle. The comedy show was a coming out of sorts for The (206), a show made up of some of the original cast and crew of the local hit show Almost Live. The crew has been spotted around Seattle filming pilots for the new show.
Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

From left, Chris Cashman,Pat Cashman, Brooks McBeth and John...

Comic John Keister talks about the town of Enumclaw during the Night of The (206) performance on Tuesday, September 18, 2012 at The Triple Door in Seattle. His routine poked fun at Kent and Renton as usual but he had the most fun with the town of Enumclaw.
Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

Comic John Keister talks about the town of Enumclaw during the...

Comic Pat Cashman removes a collar during the Night of The (206) performance at The Triple Door in Seattle. The comedy show was a coming out of sorts for The (206), a show made up of some of the original cast and crew of the local hit show Almost Live.
Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

Comic Pat Cashman removes a collar during the Night of The (206)...

Brooks McBeth performs a comedy routine during the Night of The (206) at The Triple Door in Seattle.
Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

Brooks McBeth performs a comedy routine during the Night of The...

Pat Cashman comments on clips in children's movies during the Night of The (206) performance on Tuesday, September 18, 2012 at The Triple Door in Seattle. The comedy show was a coming out of sorts for The (206), a show made up of some of the original cast and crew of the local hit show Almost Live.
Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

Pat Cashman comments on clips in children's movies during the Night...

John Keister gives his take on advancements since the World's Fair during the Night of The (206) performance at The Triple Door in Seattle.
Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

John Keister gives his take on advancements since the World's Fair...

Pat Cashman, introduced by his son Chris, takes the stage during the Night of The (206).
Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

Pat Cashman, introduced by his son Chris, takes the stage during...

Comic Pat Cashman performs during the Night of The (206) at The Triple Door in Seattle.
Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

Comic Pat Cashman performs during the Night of The (206) at The...

Comic John Keister takes the stage during the Night of The (206) on Tuesday, September 18, 2012 at The Triple Door in Seattle.
Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

Comic John Keister takes the stage during the Night of The (206) on...

Chris Cashman prepares to introduce his dad, comic Pat Cashman, during the Night of The (206).
Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

Chris Cashman prepares to introduce his dad, comic Pat Cashman,...

Comic Pat Cashman jokes about consumer products during the Night of The (206) performance at The Triple Door in Seattle.
Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

John Keister performs during the Night of The (206) at The Triple Door in Seattle.
Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

John Keister performs during the Night of The (206) at The Triple...

Comic Pat Cashman performs during the Night of The (206).
Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

Comic Pat Cashman performs during the Night of The (206).

John Keister performs during the Night of The (206) at The Triple Door in Seattle.
Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

John Keister performs during the Night of The (206) at The Triple...

John Keister poses with guests during the Night of The (206) at The Triple Door in Seattle. The comedy show was a coming out of sorts for The (206), a show made up of some of the original cast and crew of the local hit show Almost Live.
Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

John Keister poses with guests during the Night of The (206) at The...

Familiar faces from classic Seattle sketch-comedy show "Almost Live!" will debut their new show, "The (206)," on KING/5 and KONG this January, KING announced Wednesday.

The half-hour show will be taped live with pre-recorded sketches and premier Jan. 6 following Saturday Night Live on KING. It will replay at 7:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. on KONG.

Recording of the first two episodes will take place at Bellevue's Mighty Media Studios on Dec. 29, according to KING. But the tapings are already sold out.

"The 206" features Pat Cashman and John Keister, who were part of "Almost Live!" The show, which had new episodes from 1984 to 1999, became a beloved part of Seattle culture and has been in reruns after Saturday Night Live since production ended.

The show earned more than 40 local Emmy awards and became a beloved part of Seattle culture with sketches including The High-Fivin' White Guys, Billy Quan, Nature Walks With Chuck, Uncle Fran's Musical Forest, and The Worst Girlfriend in the World. Joel McHale of NBC's "Community" was an "Almost Live!" cast member in the 1990s and Bill Nye the Science Guy, who played Speedwalker, had his television break on "Almost Live!" after starting his science guy persona on Seattle's KJR radio.

KING/5 did not say if re-runs of "Almost Live!" will continue to air after new episodes of "The (206)." And while there are similarities between the two, "The (206)" cast has said the new project is different.

Chris Cashman, Pat's son, is also part of "The (206)" cast, as is comedian Brooks McBeth. On Sept. 18, "The (206)" cast performed at The Triple Door in downtown Seattle, and the show sold out in less than a week.

Erren Gottlieb, co-creator and producer of "The (206) told seattlepi.com in August the goal is to get the show on TV in Seattle, then take it national. Together with "Almost Live!" alumnus Jim McKenna, Gottlieb helped create shows like "Bill Nye the Science Guy" and "Biz Kids."

Click here to read more about "The (206)" and follow this link to see teasers from the show.